All this is very well,and as a film student i do agree with SOME but not all of this review.
however, the flaws of the film are totally made up for by Orlando Bloom's appearance in his bandana at the end...PHWOOOAR!

Rach, Harrogate,

I completely agree with this review.
I found I had forgotten what had happened in Pirates 2 (which I had also found disappointing), so the plot made even less sense.
The character of Jack Sparrow struck me as annoying, although I had once loved him in Pirates 1. Could the film have lost his hallucination scenes? It would have cut down the minutes..
The film somehow killed any sympathy I had once had for the characters, encouraging me instead to sit back and endure endless swishing and clanging.
The opportunity to make a great film was lost here. Instead of focusing on tedious fight scenes, more should have been made of the original characters, their relationships and romances (where were Bloom and Knightley for most of the film?).

Ellie, Henley,

I have to agree with the review. I was disappointed and felt exactly the same way as the reviewer. All in all it's an ok film, but i felt the writing of it was rushed and everything was all over the place pulled together by special effects. I'm glad i have seen it and will probably watch it again, just was disappointed.

Jenny, Edinburgh, Uk

The review has some points, I don't pretend that the film is perfect because it's not. Some of the jokes that audiences witnessed in Pirates 1 are lost due to the need to make the script funnier than ever. The films were better when everything was effortless, the acting, the lines and the cinematography. In my opinion this film is unbelievable. Every other pirate film up until this point was a massive cinema flop but Gore Verbinski’s style and the script writers genius have brought a dead genre back to life and for that I thank them.
The film was not wonderful but it rounded off a trilogy that was amazing for cinema audiences. I agree with the review to the extent that the film relied on its special effects and script because that is what made pirates, pirates in the first place but it is still a masterpiece, and I loved it, (though how far you listen to a 17 year old is up to you!!)

Pirates is an amazing film, if only for it's imagination!

Charlotte, Cambridge, UK

This review got my opinion spot on! Thanks!

Charles, Truro, Cornwall

I absolutely loved the film. With all of death and destruction in today's world, seeing such a wonder with special effects was an escape from reality. Johnny Depp is a wonderful actor and extremely apealing. And Orlando Bloom is a heartthrob for any age. It takes you back to a youthful and imaginative journey (real or not).

I just hope that there is a fourth film because I didn't like the ending............it is incomplete. There must be another one so that there is truly a HAPPY ENDING.

GO SEE IT ----YOU WILL BE HAPPY THAT YOU DID

Janice A. Henry, Jupiter, USA/Florida

A typically patronising and supercilious review from a jaded newspaper critic who has missed the point. The Pirates filmsare based on a theme park ride - they are just supposed to be fun! Of course the plot is convoluted and silly and of course the film relies on special effects! And I suspect the writers, the director and actors also had fun making the films and poking fun at themselves and the genre in the process.

xorg, Hertford, UK

Some of us haven't seen the film so readin grevies which give the romantic storyline away is very dissapointing! Think about those who use these reviews to decide whether to go or not - and don't give the game way please!!!!

Emma, Chesterfield,

I saw the film twice over the Bank Holiday and it made a little more sense the second time around. Yes, the film is a load of complete tosh and I am still very annoyed that Calypso couldn't have had a half-decent Jamaican accent (at least I'm assuming she was supposed to be Jamaican). Even the guy in the Ocean's films did a better job with his (Cockney?) accent.

The film is pure entertainment and my 11yo niece loved it, even though she didn't understand the bit regarding the heart and Davy Jones.

Ignore the critics and go see the film.

Sonia, South London,

I agree with Linda Dupre Elizabeth so should have gone with Jack. They hardly talked to eachother wich was really annoying.
I saw it at Gold class it was a great expieriance but i really would have loved a better ending thats why i want there to be a 4th movie so that liz and jack can be together i surveyed my school and 90% thought the same

Deearna, Victoria, Australia

I have seen the movie 3 times since May 24. The first time I left at the ending credits and didn't see the final scene which meant alot to the movie. The only disappointment I had was that I wanted Jack to be with Elizabeth and not Will. The second film led you to believe that she wanted that as well.i.e. the compass. So I was really upset about that. I sincerely hope that there will be a Pirates- Four. Anytime you have a movie that makes over $100 million on a weekend should tell the powers that be that we the people like it and enjoy being entertained by a rough lot of rowdy pirates!!

Linda DuPre, Columbia, South Carolina

This is the type of movie that you shouldn't have to think too hard about the plot, but it was the contrary. Very confusing. It also didn't help that I missed whole portions of the movies because I couldn't understand the accents. The West Indian voodoo sea goddess was incoherent and I even found Geoffrey Rush and Chow Yun Fat really hard to understand.

A Joseph, Brisbane, Australia

Went to see this film with my Daughter.
All i can say is i wasted over 3 hours of my life i will never get back. (3 hours being if you count the endless advertising, and intermission - YES, intermission, that's when we knew we were in for a long haul). My Daughter seemed to enjoy it but bless her, she sees good in everything. Most of the loose ends were tied up , e.g, what happened to blah-de-blah etc,so hopefully there is no need to flog the horse any longer, it's dead i tell you....DEAD!!!

moonage, Leicester,

this movie is great! it is definitely a great ending to the pirate's trilogy. it is by far the funniest of the pirates installments. this movie is packed with action, and is hilarious. the effects and the battle scenes were brilliantly done. The actors are magnificent, especially Johnny Depp. He brings Captain Jack to a whole new level in this installment. this movie can entertain people ages 8 to 80. it is definitely one of the best movies of the year.

Jazz, Miami, Florida

i loved the first one, but this one was really quite unnecessary. rather than a clear plot with a goal the audience could support and a few entertaining plot twists, there were about 15 different subplots that kept changing as the characters seemed to be in some sort of competition as to who could swap swap sides the most withing the 3 hours, everyone had their own vague agenda, and the film came ended with keira knightley presumably stuck alone on a deserted island for the rest of her life.

Meg, london,

Even though the effects were good, and the film itself fun, the ending was diabolical. As far as i can see, there is no 4th film in the making, which leaves us left with probably the most unfinished end to a film . ever, the whole thing was stupid. I dont want to say much for people how havnt seen it but I didnt get it at all.

Mum of three, scotland,

It was a fun movie to watch, that I won't deny. There's a certain endearing charm about it much like the other movies had, what with all its swashbuckling, hard-hitting, almost over-bearing action. It's also hard not to love the pastiche of new and returning characters, namely the increasingly ridiculous Captain Jack and his brand of unconscious wit and slapstick humor. Certainly a movie worth watching with good friends and family.

However, the movie really seems to fall short in the plot area. It's horribly contrived and hard to believe, and the far too often and absurd plot twists poorly attempt to facet a story that fails to realize that it has dug itself into a exceptionally deep hole that only a ladder of 'deus ex machina's can get it out of. As a fairly avid fan of the first two, I have to say that this was the most farfetched of all the plotlines in any of them.

It's a great watch, but anyone looking for a tangible plot is better off watching something like Chilren of Men.

James, Austin,

I was disappointed. It just seem to go on too long with not enough jokes to sustain it. What as happened to having a film with a decent story. Beginning middle and end. Special effects with pouting and mincing do not really make a film. Don't think I would bother if they made a fourth and not sure after sitting through Spiderman and now this I will bother with any more of the sequels that will be screened this summer.

Rebecca, Sheffield, UK

Well i went to see 'At Worlds End' on Thursday night (24th May), and even though it was nearly 3 hours long i didn't think it was too long. On reflection i think it is just as good as 1 and 2, and liked the fact that they brought the other characters and monkey in to the film more with amusement. I would have liked to have seen more of Jack Sparrow as he is hilarious but i will certainly be buying the DVD as soon as it is released. They have left it open for the possibility of a fourth, so who knows, if they can keep up the high standard then maybe they should go for it!

Hilary, Windsor, England

went to see the film with my two teenage daughters and wife,we ALL LOVED IT.As usual Jonny Depp is brilliant as Capt sparrow.Ok I agree with some of the critics that the plot is all over the place but you come out of the cinema with the feeling "the film was fantastic but haven't got a clue what it was about"but to be perfectly honest I don't care.The film is just under 3 hours long and some of the special effects were mind blowing.My advice to the critics is shut up moaning and let the public decide !!!!

Richard Davy, Sleaford, uk

Saw it - loved it - and had no problem following the plot.

(I suspect critics work on their reviews before they have even seen the fiim...)
I didn't think it would gritty realism before I went - and I wasn't disappointed.

It had all richness and fantasy (and darkness) of an Arabian Nights story, Fabulous effects - and Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp. That's just what I wanted.

I really hope there's a fourth in the offing........?

Aggie, Scotland,

My family loves these movies because they are just right for all the ages in my household. Sword fighting, piratey sayings and a little disrespect for conventional life. Its family entertainment without cussing or nudity. So, whether the plot is worthy of a rave review or not, I await tomorrow night with great anticipation and will buy the DVD as soon as its released.
Keep to the Code

Marie, Waterville, Maine

Even fantasy must have a thread of believable narrative running through it! The thoroughly enjoyable first film with its smart one-liners and engaging characters is in danger of disappearing completely amidst the increasingly overblown attempts to cash in on its popularity. Spend some money on a decent script for heavens sake; even my 12 year old daughter thought this one was nonsense.

Alison Bennett, Derby,

I wanted to like it. I hated it. Pirates 1 and 2 were fun, full of humour and visual gags, and Johnny Depp was camply gorgeous. In Pirates 3 any decent action takes second place to endless scenes of people trying to plot against each other for reasons no-one understands or cares about until you want to scream at the screen 'BLOODY WELL GET ON WITH IT!'
Before long I had no idea who was alive, dead, undead, had their heart in a box or why and how it mattered, and no clue who was on whose side, which boat they were on at the time, and why Keira Knightley thinks that acting means sticking out your jaw and looking angry. All those millions spent on it, but no-one thought to pay a writer to draft a decent plot!
Escapist, J Paine? Having looked forward to it all week (yes, I'm THAT sad) the only escapism the film involved was me trying to squint at my watch in the dark to see how much more of this bilge there was to sit through until we could go for a pizza. Shame.

Ellie Stott, Solihull,

I love these movies. Not because they are good films, but because they are a thoroughly entertaining way to spend an evening. After all, there is no other art (a loose term) form of that allows twenty-minute ship fights in a whirlpool.

They amuse me and some of the cinematography is incredible. But you can't treat the movie like it's "The Black Book". Art this isn't, but it's terribly watchable.

Jenna, London,

I havent yet seen worlds end but would imagine that like all good sequels it will be bad. Still the more steriotypical the deppmeister makes Capn jack the more i seem to like it. I may well be going alone this time as the length would seriously try my kids patience.

claire mitchell, bridgwater, england

A strange review. I can't quite see why the obvious skills of such an erudite reviewer have been wasted in writing in such a vein about a film that is pure fantasy. Sadly Mr Maher, little of what you have written will matter one jot to the millions of children and adults alike, who will love the three hours of escapism.

J Paine, Gravesend, England

Not quite DVT, but a severe case of cramp. I saw this movie this evening, and I do agree that at points it was interminably long. The differing agendas of a multitude of characters made my head spin, as did the fact that for long periods there was no let-up in the deafening noise.

But, of course, I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend that anyone who has seen the first two installments should definately see this, and I'm sure the film will be a hit, particularly as it coincides with a half term holiday!

Rob G, Torquay, Devon

one day all critics will fathom out that the en masse audience don't want to watch an in depth portrayal of the works of Proust --or the meaningful insights of Herman H esse --they just want to be entertained --but that day is still a way off ,as most critics have their heads so far up their own backsides to have lost the plot completely.

john radford, lincoln, uk

Movies aren't meant to be realistic there meant to please people, just because they don't get facts right does not mean they were attempting to. Movies are meant to please. so keep your crappy critism to yourself.

slevin slovokov, Whiting, IN

Critics....who needs them? What might be garbage for you, could me be pearls for me. I will go see the movie, after all...it's just entertainment.

Rob Reyes, Frankfurt, Germany

I don't think any of this will matter in the least.My children and me are looking forward to three hours of pure and absurd enjoyment.

Mercedes Garcia Lenberg, madrid, spain

...Not sure who this review, which is clear but a little inaccessible, is aimed at...

Les, Vermont, USA

What a wonderfully crafted review. However,I can't help thinking that references to Sisyphean afterlife and the movie being a ''corcuscating testament" could be wasted on the potential audience of a childrens film based on a Disney ride.

B Hough, Nelson, England

Perhaps Kevin Maher misses the boat, so to speak. Of the 15 or more reviews that I have read for the film, his is the only 1 that is truly negative. Fortunately for the producers, most of the others have appreciated the complexity of the pirate, and the fact that the fans or viewers are more than able to follow the various story lines, and more than willing to pay out to sit for nearly three hours (or 3 1/2, if one includes the ubiquitous preliminary trailers) to follow the story of these characters. The journey is often said to be more important than the destination, and in the case of these films, I think perhaps that is truly the intention. Having watched the constant action of the first two films, I find it hardly credible that Maher refers to the "storytelling inertia" of the film, and I wonder at his hidden agenda in writing such. Indeed, his article hints at something else: could it be avarice for Disney's success, pretention, or petty jealousy? I, for 1, will see the film.

M. Perry, Toronto,

tell that to a gobsmacked ten year old!

caz, GRAVESEND,